Fort Worth City Councilman Michael D. Crain\u2019s legal battle with his former business partner Will Northern escalated on Monday.<\/p>\n
In a counterclaim, Northern accused Crain of breaching their business agreements and attempting an unlawful takeover of their jointly owned companies.<\/p>\n
Crain earlier this month sued Northern in Tarrant County District Court, alleging that Northern cut him out of the Woodhaven redevelopment real estate project and misused company resources. The dispute stems from their shared ownership of three companies under the Northern Crain brand: Northern Crain Realty, Northern Crain Property Management, and Northern Crain LLC.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Northern called the lawsuit a \u201ccalculated attempt to weaponize the legal system for personal gain.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI remain confident that the facts and the law are on our side,\u201d Northern said. \u201cMy legal team will vigorously defend against these baseless claims and continue our work to revitalize the Woodhaven community and contribute positively to Fort Worth\u2019s growth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crain\u2019s suit, filed June 20 in Judge Don Cosby\u2019s 67th District Court, details a bitter falling-out between the business partners, co-founders of the real estate firm Northern Crain Realty. Crain, who also serves on the City Council representing District 3, is suing individually and on behalf of the three companies in which he and Northern each own a 50% stake.<\/p>\n
The suit names as defendants Northern, Fort Worth attorney Tyler Goldthwaite, and several business entities the two allegedly formed as part of what Crain claims was a \u201cpremeditated and complex plan\u201d to take control of the Woodhaven property without Crain\u2019s knowledge.<\/p>\n
Crescendo Development, set up by Northern, acquired more than 160 acres in Woodhaven, including the golf course, on Fort Worth\u2019s east side in a foreclosure auction for $8.5 million in May 2024.\u00a0On Jan. 7, the Fort Worth City Council approved a Zoning Commission recommendation to rezone 150 acres in Woodhaven for a mixed-use development featuring housing, retail, and green space on the site of the former Woodhaven golf course. Crain abstained from the vote due to his business partnership with Northern.<\/p>\n
Crain is seeking $1 million, excluding interest, punitive damages and penalties, and attorney\u2019s fees.<\/p>\n
Northern says Crain filed the lawsuit to \u201cinterfere\u201d with the long-awaited redevelopment of Woodhaven.<\/p>\n
In a statement responding to Northern\u2019s public comments about the lawsuit, Crain\u2019s legal team emphasized that the case is in no way an attempt to undermine the Woodhaven redevelopment but rather a business dispute between Crain and his former partner.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, Mr. Crain\u2019s claims arise from the success of the development and the alleged improper means by which Mr. Northern sought to benefit from it,\u201d says Avery McDaniel, Crain\u2019s attorney.<\/p>\n